THE OXRIDGE WOMAN
by Audie Watt, Senior [Student Review, "Pacific Literature"] University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu, 1999.

Leialoha Apo Perkinsʻs work "The Oxridge Woman" is an
experimental novel-like book with a strong message about
the exclusiveness of the academic society. The sxclusion of
women in the academic world as experienced by Heather
Sommerfeldt-Russell, the protagonist of the piece, is
paralleled to the exclusion of the language and culture of
the Hawaiian People in academia. Attaching Heatherʻs plight
to that of the Hawaiian People allows Apo Perkins to create a
more universal and applicable message.

The language of "The Oxridge Woman" is as clever as the
message, and as experimental as the form. Snappy punches
such as "The UnKnighted Estates of Eukro-Tribal Amer.,"
add insight as well as a bit of humor. (17) However, Apo
Perkins packs these clever metaphors in too tightly for the
reader to smoothly glide through. In order to fully understand
chapter one, the reader must either plod very slowly through,
or constantly re-read. Thought he chapter is rich in language,
it would have more of an effect if it were dilluted or simplified.
There is no question of the quality of the writing, but the effect
on the reader may not have been what she intended.

Highlights of "The Oxridge Woman" include the deveopment of
Heaatherʻs character through the captivating prose in chapters 6-12,
as well as "Manifesto for ʻPidginʻ Anguish." She develops a very
guarded and conservative character in Heather, while simultaneously
enjoying the way that she ticks. "Manifesto for ʻPidginʻ Anguish" is
the best of Heatherʻs "papers". An interesting and insightful conflict
between a young Hawaiian and his "Haole" teacher teacher nails the
point of the book.

Apo Perkins broke many rules with incorporating so many forms of
writing in "The Oxridge Woman". The boook switches quite suddenly
from one form to the next. The poetry, the narrative, the dialogue,
the cultural tales, and the academic premises each add to her message.
However of these works does not form a novel. One of the best written
parts of the narrative is when Apo Perkins incorporates the story of
the older Indian man and younger Indian girl into Heatherʻs immediate
world. Could Apo Perkins have used all of the various forms included
in "The Oxridge Woman" but kept them within the narratorʻs voice and
immediate world? COuld Heather have heard the story of the young
school boy whostood up to his teacher, and remembered it in vivid
detail, as opposed to a titled essay? WOuld any of the messasge or art
of "The Oxridge Woman" be lost if it were made into a more continuous
novel? Though the inventive and boundary-testing manner in which she
did write is worthy of respect and acclaim for the creativeness and couage, it would have held my interest more if it could have all been obtained and told through Heatherʻs direct experience.

Overall, "The Oxridge Woman" is rich in ideas and philosophies. The
language is clever and edgy, and the collection of the various forms is boldand creative. Apo Perkinsʻs prose is captivating and her message direct.

Academically, "The Oxridge Woman" is a worthy piece of literature. ( )